Cottage cheese (paneer) ice cream is going viral — find out if it actually comes with any health benefits

In this dessert, cottage cheese replaces cream, and maple syrup or honey replaces sugar. Some recipes also include adding fresh fruit to the blended mixture to add colour and additional flavour.

According to Chef Danish Khan, executive pastry chef, Conrad Pune, “Unlike churned ice cream, it is an unchurned frozen dessert that can be easily prepared at home without the need for an ice cream machine or any other specialised equipment. All you need is a food processor and a regular freezer to make this delicious and nutritious dessert.”

Is it really a healthier option?

The chef noted that cottage cheese ice cream is a great dessert choice for individuals looking to reduce their calorie intake while still enjoying a sweet treat. “Cottage cheese is a rich source of calcium and protein, which are essential for maintaining healthy bones and muscles, and may also help regulate blood pressure. Cottage cheese itself is beneficial for maintaining bone health and preventing osteoporosis. In addition, it plays a role in converting food into energy, which can support a healthy metabolism and aid in weight loss,” he told indianexpress.com.

Additionally, healthier sugar alternatives like maple syrup make the ice cream a better option. It is also high in antioxidant content. “Cottage cheese ice cream doesn’t have any type of stabiliser or any other chemical in it and also it has natural sugar instead of refined sugar,” said Khan.

However, he added that individuals who are lactose intolerant or allergic to dairy products should avoid it or choose a dairy-free alternative. It may also not be suitable for individuals on a low-sodium or low-potassium diet as it can contains a moderate amount of these minerals. Additionally, people with certain medical conditions such as kidney disease should limit their intake of high-protein foods like cottage cheese ice cream, as excessive protein intake can put a strain on the kidneys. 

But Shweta Shah, a celebrity nutritionist and founder of Eatfit24/7, expressed objections. “Cottage cheese is low in fat, especially if you choose reduced fat version. It is also high in protein, along with nutrients like calcium, B vitamin and iodine that make it a healthy option. But this low sugar and low fat cottage cheese turns into a high fat and high sugar indulgence when you top it up with sugary syrups. It is very important to be mindful about the extra ingredients that you are adding on it, as those are the ones that determine how healthy this ice cream would turn out,” she told indianexpress.com.

Recipe of cottage cheese ice cream

Ingredients:

• 450 gm of full-fat cottage cheese 
• 2 tablespoons of honey
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract 
• 3 tablespoons of peanut butter
• 40 grams of chopped bittersweet chocolate 

Method:

• Blend all ingredients in a food processor, except chocolate.
• Fold with chopped chocolate and pour in a box which can fit into your freezer and freeze it for 6 to 8 hours.
• Scoop it and garnish with a few chocolate shavings.

Your dish is ready to serve!

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